Title: Apply basic communication skills in the healthcare workplace.
Course: Surgical Technologist I (14056-I) > Section: Communicating in the Healthcare Workplace

Application of basic communication skills should include the following:

- Demonstrating effective teamwork strategies
- Practicing conflict resolution
- Demonstrating sensitivity in communicating and interacting with persons with disabilities
- Communicating with persons who speak a different language
- Demonstrating sensitivity to cultural differences in communicating among the healthcare team, patients, families, vendors, and others encountered in the workplace
- Alerting other healthcare team members to any break in procedure
- Filing a shift report, as appropriate
- Practicing telephone/cellphone etiquette
- Speaking up for safety

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are methods of acceptable verbal communication among the members of operating room team?
- In what circumstances might a surgical technologist need to practice conflict-resolution skills? What strategies would be appropriate in those circumstances?
- How might a surgical technologist demonstrate sensitivity in communicating with persons with disabilities? With persons of different cultural backgrounds?
- What is a shift report? Why is it important?
- What is telephone etiquette? What are the potential consequences of failing to use proper telephone etiquette?